advice on my next project

[shadowmagic]

So its come time to remove my front wheel to take care of replacing my fork seals and bushings. Since I'm going to be up there I figured it is a good time to paint my front fender and my calipers along with bleeding the brakes, etc. Is there anything else I should do while I'm up there? replace bearings in the wheel or anything like that? Any advice or tips greatly appreciated. I will probably polish the front wheel while I have it off.

Any advice on removing the calipers completely for paint? Or should I just leave them intact?

[Bighead]

Since you dont really know tbe history of the bike I would probably do bearings just for peace of mind.  Cheap and easy to do.

[Chrisj CMA]

Taking the front wheel off and also removing calipers is so easy I fail to see why you are looking for anything and everything to do while "you are up there" Get the forks fixed, paint the fender if you want. The wheel does not have to be off to remove calipers.

[Willow]

Since you dont really know tbe history of the bike I would probably do bearings just for peace of mind.  Cheap and easy to do.

Test the bearings.  Turn them with the wheel off feeling with your finger.  If they're smooth and good they're good.

Sometimes bearings last for a long time; sometimes not so long.  My belief is the not so long is either a flaw on the bearing put in or damage putting it in.

Don't change a good bearing just because you don't know.  Changing may bring on a step backwards.

[hubcapsc]

Any advice on removing the calipers completely for paint?

I've removed mine numerous times, but never to be painted.

They're easy to take apart, clean up like new and replace
the seals in, "tuned up" Valkyrie brakes are pretty
good brakes 

Once you remove the calipers from the lines, you  might
have some trouble priming them to get stuff flowing again
when you're bleeding them from dry, nothing you won't
be able to find people talking about here.

As far as paint and looks goes, that's up to you, some
people even chrome their calipers... the
calipers clean up really well, I was noticing how nice
mine still are a couple of days ago when I was
checking my air pressure before a ride...

The factory shop manual is on line here if you need it...

http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

-Mike

[shadowmagic]

Thanks for all the great advice. I'll definately check the bearings. I plan on painting my calipers white to go with a theme I'm shooting for.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for all the great advice. I'll definately check the bearings. I plan on painting my calipers white to go with a theme I'm shooting for.

I hope you'll post some pics. That sounds interesting.